COMMISSION FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT CONCLUDES THIRTY-SIXTH SESSION AT HEADQUARTERS, 10 - 20 FEBRUARY
Press Release
SOC/4444
COMMISSION FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT CONCLUDES THIRTY-SIXTH SESSION AT HEADQUARTERS, 10 - 20 FEBRUARY
19980223 Adopts Texts on Promoting Social Integration, International Year Of Older Persons (1999), International Plan of Action on Ageing (1982)Stressing that poverty is a root cause of social exclusion, the Commission for Social Development called on the international community to support developing countries' efforts to address social and economic problems, as it concluded its thirty-sixth session on Friday evening, 20 February.
It made that call as it adopted, without a vote and by means of a resolution, a set of agreed conclusions on its sessional theme of promoting social inclusion and participation for all people. It also adopted two decisions on matters related to the International Year of Older Persons (1999) and the 1982 International Plan of Action on Ageing.
In the three-part agreed conclusions, the Commission, noting that the globalization of the world economy created opportunities for the development process, but also social hazards, stressed that efforts at the local, national and international levels are needed to minimize the negative effects of globalization. Also, there is a need for cooperation between State and non-State actors, including transnational corporations, private institutions and civil society organizations. All actors, particularly international financial bodies, should consider the social consequences of their actions.
The vast human and financial resources available to the illicit drug trade, in many cases exceeding the resources of national governments, have made international cooperation and coordination imperative to an effective anti-drug strategy, the Commission stated. It called for international assistance to be given to developing countries as they must address unemployment, illiteracy, deteriorating economies and lack of resources.
Poverty and exclusion should be attacked through employment, the Commission emphasized. Discrimination in employment -- on any grounds -- should be eliminated. Labour policies must be sensitive to the needs of disadvantaged and vulnerable groups, while young people should be given opportunities for meaningful employment. In addition, attention should be given to reconciling professional activity and family responsibilities, for
both men and women, through affordable childcare, family support and flexible working arrangements.
Speaking after action, the representative of the United Kingdom, speaking for the European Union, expressed disappointment that a paragraph on combating corruption had been deleted from the text. The representatives of the United States and Chile agreed. Indonesia's representative, on behalf of the "Group of 77" developing countries and China, said that corruption was not the only factor that contributed to social disintegration; other elements, such as foreign occupation and terrorism, did so as well. Since those had not been specified in the text, neither should corruption.
Also, the United States' representative said his delegation interpreted language in the text on child labour as referring only to exploitative forms of labour, and that his country had never committed to meeting any official development assistance (ODA) target. The Netherlands' representative said the Commission should have used its conference services more efficiently.
In other action, the Commission decided to recommend to the Economic and Social Council that the name of the support group assisting in preparations for the International Year of Older Persons (1999) be changed to the Consultative Group for the International Year of Older Persons.
By another decision, the Commission invited the Department of Economic and Social Affairs to draw up proposals for developing an Internet database on policies and programmes on ageing and to explore, with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the feasibility of including an ageing-related development index in the Human Development Report.
The Commission also adopted, as orally revised, the report of its special session, which was introduced by its Vice-Chairman/Rapporteur, Mathe Diseko (South Africa).
Closing statements were made by the Commission's Chairman, Aurelio Fernandez (Spain); and by representatives of Indonesia, speaking for the Group of 77 and China; the United Kingdom, for the European Union; and Ecuador, speaking for the Latin American and Caribbean Group. The representatives of the United States, India, Russian Federation and Romania also spoke.
The Social Development Commission is the body with the central role in the follow-up to the World Summit for Social Development (Copenhagen, 1995). It has adopted a thematic programme of work towards the General Assembly's upcoming special session to review the Social Summit, which will be held in the year 2000. During its just-concluded session, which began on 10 February, the Commission focused on commitment 4 of the Copenhagen Declaration and chapter 4 of the Programme of Action, both of which deal with the goal of eliminating social exclusion through national and international action.
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Action by Commission
By means of a resolution, the Commission adopted a three-part set of agreed conclusions (document E/CN.5/1998/L.6, Adds. 1 and 2) on its priority theme for the session: promoting social integration and participation of all people, including disadvantaged and vulnerable groups and persons.
The conclusions cover the following topics: promoting social integration and participation; enhancing social protection, reducing vulnerability and enhancing employment opportunities for groups with special needs; and violence, crime and the problems of illicit drugs and substance abuse as factors of social disintegration.
Part I of the agreed conclusions, on promoting social integration and participation (document E/CN.5/1998/L.6), was introduced by Commission Vice-Chairman Joanna Wronecka (Poland). It states that efforts to promote participation should be based on recognition of the interdependence of all members of society, and of the lifelong potential of all persons. Development should be based on respect for the inherent dignity and worth of all persons.
Poverty is a root cause of social exclusion, according to the text. Eliminating poverty requires a holistic and comprehensive approach. Access to productive employment should be expanded, as should participation in international economic decision-making processes, particularly by developing countries. While the text notes that the primary responsibility for promoting involvement rests with national governments, it says that the international community should support developing countries' efforts to address social and economic problems.
The globalization of the world economy created opportunities for the development process, but also social hazards, such as unstable labour markets, impoverishment, and increased marginalization of individuals and groups, according to the text. Given that, and in light of the increasing interdependence between economic, social and environmental issues, efforts at the local, national and international levels are needed to minimize the negative effects of globalization. Also, there is a need for cooperation between State and non-State actors, including transnational corporations, private institutions and civil society organizations. All actors, particularly international financial bodies, should consider the social consequences of their actions.
Policies to promote inclusion should take into account the perspectives of all peoples, the text continues. Governments should combat discrimination in all its forms, including against women, minorities and vulnerable groups. Women must become active participants in all aspects of society, with increased access to resources and positions of responsibility. Governments should empower communities and local governments, so people can have a voice
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in matters that affect them directly. Workers' rights should be protected, including the right to organize and bargain collectively. Forced labour and child labour should be prohibited. Fair taxation systems are needed to redistribute resources and increase society's stake in social services, it adds.
The family, as the basic unit of society, plays an essential role in educating, nurturing and contributing to the integration of the individual into society, the Commission concludes. Families are entitled to receive comprehensive protection and support. Such measures include social and economic policies to meet real needs; and promoting equal partnerships between women and men in the family. In addition, families should be provided with opportunities to understand their social responsibilities.
Education and access to information are other powerful forces for broadening people's involvement in society; and as such, there must be equal access to both, according to the text. Developing countries need access to new information technologies. The media must be responsible and reflect diversity of views, both within and between countries, the Commission agreed.
Part II of the agreed conclusions addresses enhancing social protection and reducing vulnerability (document E/CN.5/1998/L.6/Add.1) and was submitted by Vice-Chairman Faith Innerarity (Jamaica). It states that poverty eradication should be the framework for protecting vulnerable and disadvantaged groups. The international community should assist developing countries, upon request, in building their capacity to develop and implement policies aimed at removing the obstacles confronting marginalized groups and facilitating greater access to all aspects of society. Governments should establish or strengthen social safety nets for those in need of support. Civil society and the private sector must work with governments to reduce vulnerability.
Poverty and exclusion should be attacked through employment, the text states. Discrimination in employment -- on any grounds -- should be eliminated. Labour policies must be sensitive to the needs of disadvantaged and vulnerable groups, while young people should be given opportunities for meaningful employment. In addition, attention should be given to reconciling professional activity and family responsibilities, for both men and women, through affordable child-care, family support and flexible working arrangements.
In countries where the informal economy is important, measures conducive for its development are critical, according to the text. Those include the establishment of self-generating employment and productive, sustainable livelihoods; the development of cooperatives and small-scale enterprises; and the provision of access to micro-credit, particularly to vulnerable and marginalized groups, to make them more self-sufficient.
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Education is another tool for promoting involvement and integration, the text notes. People must be taught basic skills and equipped to respond to technological, economic and social changes. General education at all levels should contribute to mutual understanding, tolerance and inter-cultural communication.
Part III of the agreed conclusions was submitted by Vice-Chairman Maria Lourdes V. Ramiro Lopez (Philippines). That text, which is on the social dimensions of violence, crime and substance abuse (document E/CN.5/1998/L.6/Add.2), was adopted as orally amended. In it, the Commission states that policies and programmes for dealing with violence, crime and substance abuse must be tackled as part of an integrated strategy for social and economic development that includes strong measures for dealing with those problems but equally seeks to understands and address the causes of such phenomena. Noting that women are particularly vulnerable to acts of violence, the Commission stressed that such violence is a hindrance to development and a violation of human rights.
International cooperation is needed to combat violence, crime and illicit drugs, despite the fact that primary responsibility for crime prevention rests at the national level, the text states. The vast human and financial resources available to the illicit drug trade, in many cases exceeding the resources of national governments, have made international cooperation and coordination imperative to an effective anti-drug strategy. International assistance must be given to developing countries as they must address unemployment, illiteracy, deteriorating economies and lack of resources.
Strategies for combating illicit drugs must address all aspects of the problem, from reducing demand and supply, to combating trafficking and money laundering, according to the text. Alternative development is a priority component of any approach to solving the problem of illicit crops. Such development ranges from crop substitution to promoting the economic development of affected countries to integrating groups involved in such activities into the legal system. Broadening access to legal sources of income may be the best guarantee against drug abuse and/or trafficking.
Stable and supportive families can provide a shield against drug abuse, the text continues. Media and information systems, including the Internet, should spread information about the negative consequences of drug abuse, while schools and youth programmes should provide information and counselling. The important role played by non-governmental organizations in providing counselling and shelter for addicts and victims of violence should be supported. The Commission called for international and national strategies against substance abuse to respond to the fact that women and men are affected differently by drug abuse.
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Acting next on a proposal submitted orally by its Chairman, the Commission decided to transmit its reports from the current and past two sessions to the preparatory committee for the General Assembly's special session to review the outcome of the Social Summit, to be held in the year 2000. Further, it decided to submit the conclusions of the present session to the Commission on Narcotic Drugs acting as the preparatory body for the General Assembly's upcoming special session on drugs, when it meets in March in Vienna.
Also acting without a vote under its review of United Nations plans and policies to address the needs of social groups, a subtheme of the just concluded session, the Commission adopted two decisions submitted by the Commission's Chairman, Aurelio Fernandez (Spain).
The first text, on the 1982 International Plan of Action on Ageing (document E/CN.5/1998/L.4), asked the Secretary-General to explore ways to strengthen the Secretariat's capacity to review the implementation of the Plan of Action. The Department of Economic and Social Affairs was invited to draw up proposals on developing an Internet database on policies and programmes on ageing. It was also asked to explore, with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the feasibility of including an ageing-related development index in the Human Development Report. The Secretary-General was further requested to submit to the Commission's next session a report on possible options for improving the review and appraisal exercise. The Commission emphasized the importance of improving data collection in the field of ageing and stressed the need for a more focused method of monitoring the Plan of Action. It also stressed the need to introduce a gender perspective into the review and appraisal process.
The second decision concerned the International Year of Older Persons (1999) (document E/CN.5/1998/L.5), and was submitted by Julia Tavares de Alvarez (Dominican Republic). It recommended to the Economic and Social Council that the support group assisting the Commission in preparing for the International Year be renamed as the Consultative Group for the International Year of Older Persons, while keeping its informal and open-ended nature. The Commission also decided that the group, in addition to promoting exchange of information on the preparations for the Year, should also serve as an informal consultative forum for discussing relevant national and international initiatives.
The Commission also adopted its report of the thirty-sixth session (document E/CN.5/1998/L.7), which was introduced and orally amended by the Commission's Vice-Chairman/Rapporteur, Mathe Diseko (South Africa).
In addition, the Commission took note of reports of the Secretary-General on the following: promoting social integration and participation of all people (document E/CN.5/1998/2); options for the future
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review of the implementation of the International Plan of Action on Ageing (document E/CN.5/1998/3); and on the expert workshop on participation and social justice (document E/CN.5/1998/4).
Highlights of Session
At its thirty-sixth special session, the Commission focused on the theme of promoting social integration and participation for all people -- identified as a priority issue at the Social Summit. According to the Copenhagen Programme of Action, the aim of social integration is to create "a society for all", in which every individual, each with rights and responsibilities, has an active role to play. Such an inclusive society must be based on respect for human rights, diversity, democratic participation and the rule of law.
The Commission structured its work to include discussions, two expert panels and two dialogues with non-governmental organizations. It approached the theme of eliminating exclusion from a number of angles: participation and social justice; enhancing social protection; and violence, illicit drugs and crime.
The impact of globalized and liberal markets on social development was a recurring theme throughout the session. Globalization had led to the marginalization of groups and countries, many speakers said. Just as vulnerable groups should participate more fully in society, vulnerable countries must participate more fully in global decision-making processes, the representative of Indonesia said, speaking for the "Group of 77" developing countries and China.
The definition of development should be reworked, moving away from being economic-centred and paternalistic towards people-centred models based on full respect for nations' culture, history and national sovereignty, according to one expert panellist. That sentiment was echoed by many speakers. Iran's representative said that while each country must determine its own model of development, the international community and industrialized countries, in particular, should cooperate to support progress in social development.
Many speakers, including a representative from the World Bank, stressed the importance of assessing the social impact of structural adjustment and other programmes, so that economic priorities were not pursued at the expense of social goals. Referring to the Asian financial crisis, the representative of the Philippines said that unchecked economic forces and the globalization of markets were interfering with social progress. The crisis, she added, had been brought on by the same economic globalization that had led to unprecedented growth in her region.
While some speakers called for redesigning policies at the macro level to eliminate exclusion, the importance of involving civic and community-based
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organizations in all aspects of decision-making was also stressed. Many speakers emphasized that intersectoral partnerships among government, private sector and civil society were needed to advance the Social Summit's goals.
Countries with economies in transition spoke about the emergence of "previously unknown" forms of vulnerable groups -- such as homeless persons -- that had arisen from changes in the roles of government and the private sector. There was also discussion on the extent to which grass-roots organizations were capable of providing social services that had formerly been provided by the state.
In order to eliminate social exclusion, special protections should be guaranteed to those who needed them, some said. The representative of Guatemala, for example, said his country was taking steps to ensure that indigenous peoples were integrated and included in the development process. However, the representative of Egypt warned that such integration efforts should respect cultural differences and that diversity should be retained.
Targeting specific groups for social, economic and political efforts could also cause problems, some speakers said. Categorizing groups as vulnerable simply because of their specific conditions created power imbalances, according to a representative of a non-governmental organization. Instead, efforts should focus on removing the factors that marginalize people, taking advantage of their unique aspects.
During its discussions on making society inclusive and protecting those in need, the Commission considered the situation of the world's older persons. It examined volunteerism as a means of fostering broader participation. Lifelong experiences and knowledge should be used to the benefit of all persons and the contributions of elderly persons must be appreciated, said the representative of the Republic of Korea. While society must strive to cushion older persons from economic and other risks, it should also make use of their potential to contribute, the Dominican Republic's representative said.
Crime and violence festered in conditions of poverty and unemployment, and were sustained by ignorance, illiteracy and despair, the Commission was told, as it took up crime and substance abuse as factors in social disintegration. The Russian Federation called for international cooperation to combat transnational crime groups, whose illicit revenues were large enough to destabilize governments and threaten smaller economies.
During that part of the session, the Executive Director of the Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention, Pino Arlacchi, addressed the Commission. He stressed -- and other speakers affirmed -- the importance of developing viable economic alternatives to narcotics production and trafficking. Law enforcement and crop substitution campaigns were being strengthened by the United Nations International Drug Control Programme, he
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said, calling on bilateral and multilateral donors, and partners within and outside the United Nations system, to promote alternative forms of development.
A number of speakers underscored the role of the family unit in protecting people and groups against social and economic risks. Jamaica's representative drew attention to the fact that drug use correlated more strongly with dysfunctional families than with poverty. Others valued the family as a social safety-net for marginalized groups, such as older persons and youth. Austria's representative said that its country was trying to support the "sandwich generation" that cared for the very young and the very old. Some called for concrete measures to strengthen the family. The representative of a non-governmental organization said the United Nations focused disproportionately on the individual and on communities in its development efforts, to the exclusion of the family unit.
During the session, the Commission also heard presentations on national and regional efforts to implement the Copenhagen outcome. It considered options for future review of the 1982 International Plan of Action on Ageing, and heard a report of the activities of the ad hoc support group assisting in preparations for the International Year of Older Persons (1999).
Officers, Membership
The Commission's Chairman was Aurelio Fernandez (Spain); its Vice-Chairman were Faith Innerarity (Jamaica), Joanna Wronecka (Poland), Maria Lourdes Ramiro-Lopez (Philippines) and Mathe Diseko (South Africa), who also served as Rapporteur.
In 1998, the Commission's 46 members are: Argentina, Austria, Belarus, Benin, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Guatemala, India, Iran, Jamaica, Japan, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritania, Mongolia, Nepal, Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, South Africa, Spain, Sudan, Togo, Uganda, Ukraine, United States, Venezuela.
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